David Hoffman’s Easter In Stepney
A costume fitting
In the late seventies, Contributing Photographer David Hoffman documented the religious drama enacted upon the streets of Stepney around Easter time, recording astonishing images of magical realist intensity which feel closer to the medieval world than to our own day.
Gordon Kendall who played Jesus wrote this memory of his experience.
‘On a cold wet and depressing evening in April 1980, well over 100 actors, production crew and 2000 people lived through the experience of Our Lord’s Way Of The Cross enacted in the streets and estates of Stepney.
The excitement and challenge of playing Jesus really began on the Sunday before the event. Some of the actors were trying out their costumes and they looked very impressive.
Half way through the rehearsal, I needed to visit the toilet and so excused myself from the bodyguard of soldiers in costume. I knocked at the door of a flat. A lady came out and I requested the use of her toilet. She looked at me very oddly – she was a elderly lady – and she asked me who I was. I replied I was playing the part of Jesus and she flashed me a look which revealed she did not believe me, but she said ‘Come in.’
As I went through the flat I could see someone sleeping on the sofa in the lounge. When I closed the bathroom door, I could hear the woman waking up her friend and saying, ‘Nell, there’s a man in the toilet who says he’s Jesus.’ Then I heard some rapid movement and I could only wonder at the thoughts of this woman, struggling to her feet.
There was a knocking at the front door as I came out of the toilet and the two women opened it to be confronted by a fierce Roman Centurion in full regalia, asking if Jesus was in the flat. Fortunately, they relaxed into joyous smiles and it was kisses and handshakes all round as we departed.’
Roman soldiers
Jesus in flares
The arrest of the two thieves
Preparing for the crucifixion
A Roman legion marching
Pilate speaks
Roman soldiers at St Dunstan’s
Jesus consoles Mary
Bespectacled Jesus
Roman Centurion in regalia
Jesus gives himself up
The march to the crucifixion
The soldiers stripping Jesus of his raiments
Crucifixion courtesy of Whitbread
Behold, Jesus is risen in St Dunstan’s Church!
Photographs copyright © David Hoffman
You may also like to take a look at
David Hoffman at Fieldgate Mansions
Click here to order a copy of David Hoffman’s Endurance & Joy in the East End 1971-1987
This is great. In a bizzare kind of way, it reminds me of the film “Jesus of Montreal” (which, while old, is terrific).
What a big community event. Just wondering why there are three different people playing Jesus?
I certainly didn’t expect a “living passion” in the East End. Incredible. But what really surprises me is that David Hoffman’s pictures were taken in the 70’s. I live in Chinchón, about 40 miles Southeast of Madrid, and the town celebrates a “living passion” every Easter Saturday since… 1963. Some ten years before the East End’s. There are five other little towns that do the same, Morata de Tajuña, for example, started in 1987. The East End was ahead of some very Catholic little towns.
Great, evocative photos.
Incredibly powerful photographs especially the ones in the estate.
Very moving scenes
Wonderful photographs! They are beautifully composed and printed.
I was reminded of the time I saw people out in a city park having a bit of a sword fight. They were in costume and practicing for a Passion play. 😉
Photo # 22:
Evocative!